How to Protect Your Pool Against Unwanted Visitors

Having a pool in the summertime can make your house the most popular place on the block, but sometimes your pool can attract unwanted visitors like algae, debris and local wildlife.

Here are some steps to keep your pool in shipshape this summer.

Awh gee, it’s algae!

Your pool is a paradise for the moisture-heavy thriving algae.

Green algae will float on your pool’s surface or attach itself to walls or floors. It grows quickly, sometimes in less than a day, and can first be spotted in small clusters. A hard bristle brush will clean the surface layer of your pool from green algae, but removing an algae infestation requires sanitation and pool shock treatment (this article from SwimUniversity has great tips on shock treatments).

Yellow algae will have a brownish or mustard color. It will not grow as quickly as green algae, making it harder to confront. Brushing alone will not remove it, but you can combat yellow algae with shock treatments and keeping up regular maintenance to your pool.

Black algae, actually a kind of bacteria, is extremely self-sufficient and hard to kill. Not to be outdone by green or yellow algae, black algae even loves to root itself in concrete surfaces. Black algae will require a tough plan of action to remove it, including steps like:

What happens if you do everything right, and still find algae? Don’t beat yourself up! Even the cleanest of pools can be the victim of an algae outbreak, as algae can travel through the air. You can contact us here to help you with an algae outbreak.

Rain, rain, go away!

Say you’re in the middle of a pool party, and boom! A summer storm hits, and you might be too distracted to put your pool cover on. Here are some things to keep in mind about exposing your pool to rainwater.

Rainwater

Algae can also be introduced to your pool’s environment through rainwater. This can lead to chemical imbalances in your pool that might make it uninviting or unsafe.

Make sure you’re testing your water with a pool testing kit like this one after every rainfall and keeping up regular sanitation maintenance.

Debris

In a windy storm, anything in your backyard could end up in your water, from leaves and sticks to even a trashcan. Using a pool cover at the first sign of a storm can keep your pool free of unsanitary debris and damage. Check out our post about owning a solar pool cover to see how this solution could potentially save you some extra money too.

Unwanted Visitors

Sure, sometimes the family dog might take a dip, but are you protecting your pool from other unwanted visitors? Unfortunately, many people do not realize a wild animal was in their pool until it’s too late. Here are some actions you can take to keep your pool safe for passing critters.

Barriers

Thanks to pool safety laws, it’s more than likely that your pool will be surrounded by a fence, and that helps act as a first line of defense for larger animals. Keeping your pool closed off with a pool cover or a pool netting can create a second line of defense for smaller animals. Make sure your cover fits tightly, so no animals can sneak in between.

Decoys

Having plastic or motion-activated decoys in your pool area can be an easy way to ward off ducks, squirrels or mice. Plastic owls, snakes or even alligators can be useful in making your pool seem much less inviting. Reflecting tape and objects with holographic eyes or other features can also be effective at keeping smaller animals away.

Exit Points

Providing an escape route for an animal that might get stuck in your pool is an easy way to help them when it might not be safe to get too close, or when you’re not around. A ramp like this one can help a passing animal get out easily and safely.

Regular maintenance, small precautions and a proactive attitude can help you keep your pool safe, inviting and clean. As a pool owner, it’s good to be prepared for anything, from the biggest rainstorm to the smallest passing frog!

If you ever could use a hand, please feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to help.